Home by Dark Feb 1, 2016

“How do you choose your subjects?”

It’s a fair question for any artist.

As for this one, subjects have a way of choosing me.

This view grabbed my attention on the way home last week… and wouldn’t let go.

“A painting is a moment of insight and appreciation, rescued from the flux of experience, and given permanence.” Frank Webb

Enjoy a video of this painting HERE

11X14
Watermedia on panel

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  • Denise says:

    I absolutely love this painting ❤️

  • Steve Heim says:

    Thanks for the video and wise artistic insights, Peter! Beautiful painting!

  • Diana Reynolds says:

    I’m out in AZ for 4 months per year and it makes me feel good to see little slices of my home every Monday. Thank you for these remarkable paintings. I have three at home.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks for all your support Diana, and I’m glad you are enjoying a little taste of Vermont in the form of art each week.

  • David Churchill says:

    What a gorgeous picture! You captured the light perfectly!

  • Joan says:

    The colors in this painting are perfect, not too bright! So tranquil and relaxing to the eye. Would love to have my name pulled for this one!!! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous art!

  • Karen Sugalski says:

    Love the scene! I’ve often thought that distant sunshine looked like fire bringing the warmth and promise of spring!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      It’s still in the distance, but these warm days lately make me feel that spring promise too. How time flies. I’m not done painting snow yet though, so I hope we get some more before it’s done. Thanks Karen!

  • Kathy Letendre says:

    I absolutely love A Day in Vermont on Monday mornings. Among other things, today I made note of your quote: ‘There is an untidiness to creation. It’s not all going to be nice. There’s going to be a breaking down – building up process. It’s really a process.’ So well spoken – so applicable to the work I do with organizations and groups – creating something is usually not linear and tidy. Thanks, Peter!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks Kathy, much appreciated. Children understand, but as adults need to be reminded that good things can happen when we let go and make a mess. Great meeting Sunday!

  • Diane Miles says:

    Love the colors in this painting. Now one of my favorites!

  • Mary says:

    love the way the road glistens with wet and the treetops have last remaining light of day (or dawn rising) on them in the back-Love everything!!! Your paintings bring a smile to my face every time! Thank you!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      I’m smiling when I paint Mary, at least on the inside, and they say a smile is contagious. So it all makes sense. Thank you!

  • Stefani says:

    this one is quite impressive…the sunset and the reflection of the landscape in the driveway water is captured beautifully

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thank you Stefani, These fleeting moments at dawn and dusk can be a real visual treat…I’m enjoying the challenge of painting them.

  • Chris Thrane says:

    Peter,
    I only have one word….Wow!

  • cynthia adams says:

    SO pleased to be along w/ you via video! The tree in the foreground may not be a maple but I am picturing good old Vt. sap buckets on it in the Spring…. Cindy

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thank you Cynthia, I think at this point even if I painted trees in the western desert they would look like maples. They are permanently ingrained in my painting vocabulary.

  • Tony Morgan says:

    Really Nice Peter….thanks for sharing from beginning to end…..reminds me of many an evening trying to get home before that last ray disappeared….

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      My pleasure Tony, the short days of winter will soon grow longer and give us a little more time to get home.

  • Nancy Peters says:

    Not a fan of snow but this picture is just beautiful. Love the colors and it is so peaceful. I think it is one of my favorites.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks Nancy, if I wasn’t an artist I could probably live without snow too…but as an artist I love the incredible variety it brings to our landscape. Add the fall foliage and constant changes in weather and you have a painters paradise.

  • Brian Blaine says:

    Bold and authoritative brush strokes, rich colors, subjects we can all relate to. These are the things that initially capture my attention in a painting. Then some of the finer points lock me in. Take the trees in this painting, for example. The lines are simple, shapes abstracted. But, and this is what really captured my interest–because of your skill and a nod to realism, the shapes of the trees sillouetted against the sunset absolutely read , not just “trees”, but specifically “maple trees”. Not a big deal, overall, but I really like it!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Humbled again Brian, thanks so much. There are many reasons to use a big brush and get to work. Like an experienced excavator wouldn’t use a spoon to dig a foundation.

  • Judith Johnston says:

    I just really like all your paintings – I have the Rutland Grandstand hanging here over my desk. This new one is beautiful. I grew up on a farm with a road like that. Thank you!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Who knows Judith, but I do paint with gratitude, creative joy, and sincerity. I like to think that those attributes connect somehow with those that can see, feel, and appreciate it. I’m glad you are one!

  • Nancy Nemeth says:

    Magic

  • Betty Gatewood says:

    I feel the cold, the coming night AND the warm emotion in this painting, Peter. Many thanks for sharing the creation of this painting in the video. I love what you have said about mistakes in paintings and that “there is an untidiness in creating” art, but I don’t see any mistakes in yours! Love your Monday morning missals. Keep ’em coming! Thank you!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Someone said: “Doctors bury their mistakes, architects plant shrubs in front of thiers, and artists frame theirs and send them off to shows.” Thank you Betty!

  • Sue Atkinson says:

    Love this so much and a big THANK YOU for sharing the video….it is so inspiring!

  • Muriel Brown says:

    Every Monday is better than the last made perfect by the surprises you give us. This one is spectacular!!!!

  • Allan Camp says:

    I can’t process how this painting comes together. He uses the same brush I painted my front door with. Amazing to watch. Love it.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      That’s funny Allen, and close to true. The only difference is my brush cost three times as much so I better do something good with it. Thanks!

  • Barbara Oswald says:

    This painting is so beautiful. We are coming up to check on our little cabin in Belmont over February vacation and this is the winter light I remember there…many thanks for sharing your work.

    Barbara Oswald

  • Chris says:

    So far I’ve never submitted a comment, however, “HOME BY DARK” has over powered me and I must say, this painting leaves me without words.

  • Raymond Grossi says:

    Peter, I cannot put into words how inspired I am by your painting and website. You have really given me a renewed energy and commitment to painting Thank You

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      One of the best “side effects” of me doing what I love, is inspiring others along the way to do the same. I’ll help any way I can Raymond. Thanks!

  • Suzanne Lester says:

    you make painting look so easy, and are so relaxed painting, I love the video! and the painting!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks Suzanne, I’m always the first to admit that while I may look relaxed, I’m very focused and “intense” on the inside while painting. This energy is very positive however, as opposed to what we normally think of as not-relaxed…stuff like anxiety, fear, etc. Good positive energy produces the best paintings, at least in my case.

  • Dan Newhall says:

    Nice , very calming !

  • Angie says:

    Very nice! I just found your site and love your work. 🙂 I’m a watercolor hobbyist that is still searching for either the right paper or the right method to hold it down. As such, I must ask: what paper are you using and how are you keeping it attached to your board? Magic??? Thanks!!! 🙂

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Glad we found each other Angie. I’ve been painting W/C for 25 years and I’m still searching too. The search never ends, but that’s OK because it’s half the fun…once you embrace it. Here I’m using Ampersand Aquaboard. It’s a rigid board and no need to fuss with stretching etc. It’s simply temporarily taped to the big board from the back with brown U-Line packaging tape, a staple of my studio. Happy painting!

  • Angie says:

    Thanks for the response! Ampersand Aquaboard, that explains a few things. lol However, still not understanding how it is staying in place on the big board unless the tape is double sided or you are a magician. Then again, entirely possible since you professional artist always have some nifty tricks up your sleeves. Thanks again for the response, and I look forward to watching more of your videos! 🙂

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      No Magic Angie…just take the tape and make a loop, thereby creating that double sided tape. The U-Line tape is very sticky and rugged, certainly strong enough to hold the panel to the board. I place one loop of tape in each corner of the panel. Hope that makes sense!

  • Susan Vaughn says:

    I really love your videos, Peter! I learn a lot each time I watch you create a beautiful scene. I also appreciate your wisdom and conversation. I always manage to pull something from it that I want to keep in the back of my mind when I paint. Learning how to get past mistakes and making them work for you is what I pulled from your conversation here. Thank you!!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Glad you are enjoying and learning Susan. I try to play it all forward, happy to pass on anything I have learned to anyone ready to catch an occasional golden nugget. We are going to start actively looking for video sponsors so we can continue producing them. I’m free, but my video man isn’t. 🙂

  • cIndy says:

    I have started my day off, coffee in hand, watching you paint, and am so inspired. I can not wait to meet up with my paints later today. I LOVE this painting, it so reminds me of where I grew up in northern Vermont. Thank you for sharing your journey through the painting, and with your words along the way, it is so inspirational!

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